it has been a big question on what harry reid would support on the floor of the senate. the fact he has introduced background checks is significant. has beennne feinstein an advocate on the assault weapons ban and something she has worked on for a long time. thebig was the defeat of assault weapons ban, and take us behind the scenes. it was totally expected. i think ever since the newtown shooting, we knew there was momentum building for gun this hugegislation, popular support around the country for that measure. the band has been questionable, partly because you are taking away the rights of ordinary citizens to own a certain kind of gun that they currently own. would be banned under this legislation. it was just not clear that they would be able to get the support of any republicans in congress and also some democrats in the senate that they would need to win over, including harry reid who are up for reelection in 2014. we always expected this would not make it all the way. this brought a more formal end host:worried host: -- tell us about why these are crucial votes.